In the heart of China’s Shanxi province, a groundbreaking study is reshaping our understanding of coal and rock fracturing, with significant implications for the energy sector. Ting Wang, a researcher at Yangquan Xinyu Geotechnical Engineering Co., Ltd., has been delving into the shock wave characteristics of rock fracturing induced by high-intensity electric detonation. The findings, published in the journal Meikuang Anquan (which translates to ‘Mining Safety’), could revolutionize coalbed methane extraction and bolster the push towards clean energy.
Wang’s research focuses on a novel fracturing technology that uses high-voltage electric detonation to reconstruct coal and rock layer structures. This method, he explains, “can efficiently improve the efficiency of coalbed methane mining, increasing the proportion of clean energy and helping achieve the ‘dual carbon’ goal”—a reference to China’s ambitious plans to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
The study involved subjecting Changqing rock samples to high-intensity electric detonation under specific conditions—16 kV and 204 μF—and varying the voltage to observe the effects. Wang and his team discovered that increasing the voltage led to a decrease in the wavefront time of the voltage curve, which in turn increased the amplitude of the voltage wave pattern and the discharge power of the electric detonation. This resulted in a more intense shock wave, with the maximum vibration velocity propagating horizontally from the inner to the outer surface of the rock.
“The direction of maximum shock wave vibration velocity is horizontally from the inner surface of the rock to the outer surface of the rock, which is the main propagation direction of vibration,” Wang notes, highlighting the precision and control offered by this technology.
The research also revealed that the main frequency of the vibration energy of the shock wave was between 0-10 Hz, with most energy distributed in the range of 0-1,000 Hz. As the voltage increased, so did the peak amplitude of the shock wave spectrum and the peak particle velocity of the vibration curve. This means that the shock wave produced a stronger instantaneous force, accelerating the transformation of the rock’s internal structure to an unstable state, making it easier to extract coalbed methane.
The commercial implications of this research are vast. Coalbed methane, a clean-burning fossil fuel, is often trapped within coal seams and can be difficult to extract. Traditional methods of fracturing coal and rock layers can be inefficient and environmentally damaging. Wang’s high-intensity electric detonation technology offers a more precise and powerful alternative, potentially increasing extraction efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Moreover, as countries around the world strive to reduce their carbon emissions, the demand for clean energy sources like coalbed methane is set to rise. This technology could play a significant role in meeting that demand, helping to shape the future of the energy sector.
The study also opens up new avenues for research into the hydroelectric effect and time-frequency analysis, which could further enhance our understanding of rock fracturing processes. As Wang and his team continue to refine this technology, it could become a key tool in the global push towards cleaner, more sustainable energy.
The research was published in Meikuang Anquan, a journal dedicated to advancing safety and efficiency in the mining industry. As the world looks for ways to balance energy needs with environmental concerns, studies like Wang’s offer a glimpse into the innovative technologies that could shape our energy future.
